The Roofless Church

Author: Higher Up IDEALS

  • Message In A Body

    On a trip to Bali, Indonesia in 2016 with my family, I had an experience that is somewhat difficult to describe. I was meditating our first evening there asking God to guide our family to a good driver who would take us around the area. I asked that it be someone with whom we would…

  • The Land of Confusion (This Is The World We Live In)

    With the recent murders  in Orlando, the increasing number of teen suicides all over the headlines, and a general sense of foreboding among many people, I sometimes find myself wrestling with my role as a pastor. A large part of my role, as I understand it, is thinking about these issues and trying to find,…

  • Do Your Names and Labels Define You?

    How do you relate to the labels that have been assigned to you or that you have assumed?  Are they prisons that bind you or do they demonstrate choices that you have made and relationships that you are a part of? Do you define the labels or do the labels define you? Here is a…

  • Bending Racism With Your Mind

    Can you imagine a world without racism? What would that world look like? What would you give to make that world possible? Better yet, what would you give up to make that world possible? In Together Colorado and other justice seeking organizations, there are people who put in a lot of effort in order to…

  • International AIDS Candlelight Memorial: A Reflection

    Recently, I was asked by the Boulder County AIDS Project to give a short reflection and closing words on May 15, 2016 for the 33rd Annual International AIDS Candlelight Memorial. Below is the content of the reflection. My hope in sharing this is that it will increase awareness of how–even with the advancements in medication–AIDS…

  • Love the Players, Hate the Game

    Many years ago, a business consultant, who specialized in military transitions, took an interest in me. She started a conversation with me as I waited for a friend in the Family Support Center of Andrews Air Force Base. Part way through the conversation she jumped in and said, “INTJ or INTP”. Being unfamiliar with the…

  • Singing Down the Road to Redemption

    As the cast stood in the line preparing to enter the sanctuary, I could almost feel myself getting younger and the space getting narrower. Was it getting darker or was it just me?  Where did that spotlight come from?  Why am I so warm? I guess that’s what happens when you time travel and that…

  • The Truth Isn’t Going Anywhere

    After coming back to the world after my week-long retreat with the Bethany Fellows, I was initially concerned about being able to hold on to the insights I gained while with this ecumenical group of young ministers. I particularly wanted to hold onto what emerged out of the silence. But, after meditating for a while,…

  • And out of the Silence…Marisa Tomei

    “Marisa Tomei! Hallelujah! Marisa Tomei! Thank you Jesus! Marisa Tomei! Now I can eat. Amen.” What you just read was an approximation of my thoughts just before dinner tonight. I am presently on a retreat for new pastors and today is our day of silence. With the exception of a short session for spiritual direction,…

  • In Jesus’ Names

    I’ve been thinking about how to kick The Roofless Church off again. I still haven’t figured it out yet, but I figure I can start by posting things as they come up. I’m open to suggestions.